Introduction to Dermatology: The Basics
![Picture](/uploads/1/0/8/0/10801231/6315559.jpg)
The skin protects your body from heat, injury, and infection. It also protects your body from damage caused by Ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Your skin stores water and fat. It helps control body heat. Also, your skin makes vitamin D.
The picture here shows the two main layers of the skin: The epidermis and dermis.
The epidermis is the top layer of the skin: It is made of flat cells called squamous cells. Below the squamous cells, deeper in the epidermis, are round cells called basal cells.
Melanocytes are scattered among the basal cells. They are in the deepest part of the epidermis. Melanocytes make the pigment color found in the skin. When skin is exposed to UV radiation, melanocytes make more pigment which causes the skin to darken (tan).
Under the epidermis is the dermis layer, which contains many types of cells and structures, such as blood vessels, lymph vessels, and glands. Some of these glands produce sweat (helps cool your body), while other glands produce sebum. Sebum is an oily substance that help prevents your skin from drying out. Sweat and sebum reach the surface of the skin through small openings called pores.
Your skin stores water and fat. It helps control body heat. Also, your skin makes vitamin D.
The picture here shows the two main layers of the skin: The epidermis and dermis.
The epidermis is the top layer of the skin: It is made of flat cells called squamous cells. Below the squamous cells, deeper in the epidermis, are round cells called basal cells.
Melanocytes are scattered among the basal cells. They are in the deepest part of the epidermis. Melanocytes make the pigment color found in the skin. When skin is exposed to UV radiation, melanocytes make more pigment which causes the skin to darken (tan).
Under the epidermis is the dermis layer, which contains many types of cells and structures, such as blood vessels, lymph vessels, and glands. Some of these glands produce sweat (helps cool your body), while other glands produce sebum. Sebum is an oily substance that help prevents your skin from drying out. Sweat and sebum reach the surface of the skin through small openings called pores.